2 Corinthians 10:4- ‘For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;’.

DAILY READING – Philippians 3; Ezekiel 23; Isaiah 51

In 1187, the sultan of Egypt, Salah al-Din Yusuf, also known as Saladin, prepared to wage a holy war against the Christian Crusaders and take over Jerusalem.
Saladin assembled the largest army he had ever commanded on the Golan Heights, numbering around 40,000 men.
The Christian king of Jerusalem, Guy of Lusignan, also gathered his armies for the impending battle.
Saladin, knowing he could not defeat the Christians in their strong fortifications at Jerusalem, then embarked on a plan to lure them out to a battle in the desert.
He began by attacking surrounding cities that belonged to the Crusaders. Some of the knights saw through Saladin’s plan and warned the king of Jerusalem to ignore him. But the king chose to march out to battle and so fell into Saladin’s trap.

As the Crusaders left their fortified encampment at Jerusalem to go after Saladin’s army, Saladin kept moving his army further back, forcing the crusaders to keep marching in the hot scorching sun. Saladin also sent his soldiers to block access to the water springs and oasis in the desert.
By evening, the crusaders were thirsty and tired, and decided to stop for rest. In the night, Saladin’s army set fire to dry grasses, causing the smokes to blind the crusaders and make their throats even drier.
By the next morning, while still blinded by smoke and weak from thirst, the crusaders were attacked by Saladin’s forces.
Though the Crusaders fought bravely, they were eventually overpowered and greatly defeated.
When news of this defeat and takeover of Jerusalem reached Rome, it caused the Pope Urban III to die of shock. His successor, Pope Gregory VIII, immediately ordered a new crusade to retake Jerusalem.
This third crusade led by king Richard the Lionheart, was a successful military operation against Saladin, which restored most of the Christian cities, yet the crusaders were unable to again retake Jerusalem.

In spiritual battles, we must always stay in our place of strength which is abiding in God’s Word.
When Jesus was on the mount of temptation, He showed us how to fight and win our spiritual battles as He stayed in the Word.
No matter what the enemy said or did, Jesus kept declaring only what was written in God’s Word.
Jesus overcame the enemy by applying the Word weapon.

Indeed the Word is our stronghold in battle. No matter what happens we must abide in what God has said.
One of the deceptions of the enemy is to try to lure believers away from their spiritual fortifications. Through the temptations and provocations of the senses, and emotions, he tries to draw the believer away from what the Scriptures said to operate in the flesh.
Therefore anytime, you face situations that try to get you emotionally or psychologically destabilized, learn to look beyond the obvious and understand the spiritual implications.

Indeed we must not be ignorant of the devil’s devices. The Bible makes us to understand that our battles are not with flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of wickedness.
Rather than react in the flesh, let us learn to always react in faith. No matter the temptations or distractions, keep walking by faith and not by sight. Do not be controlled by the things you feel or see, only be controlled by what the Word of God says.
In the fortified place of the Word, the enemy has no access to you.

Also maintaining an atmosphere of Heaven around you through continual praise makes you inaccessible to the enemy.

Revelations 12: 8 says that the devil could not prevail in Heaven, neither was their place found any more for him in Heaven.

Indeed the enemy cannot prevail anywhere there is a Heavenly atmosphere of worship, joy and praise. God inhabits the praises of His people and certainly evil can never prevail where God abides.

No matter the situation, never allow the enemy to lure you away from a place of spiritual strength to a place of spiritual weakness by getting you fearful, depressed, anxious or discouraged. It doesn’t matter what the medical reports or financial statement may say, God is still in perfect control of your life.
Stay in the place of faith by declaring the Word and praising the Lord. Certainly, as you stand on God’s Word, you will never fall.

PRAYER: Father, thank You for enabling me to always walk by faith and not by sight. Today, I choose to remain ever grateful and continually give You the praise, glory and honor for all Your marvelous doings in my life in Jesus’ Name.

QUOTE;
The tests you are going through in life today is not for your destruction, it is for your testimony. – WORDBITE 222